DNA exclusive: How PM Narendra Modi instilled confidence in citizens by taking made-in-India COVAXIN shot

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Prime Minister Modi arrived at the AIIMS Hospital in Delhi early morning and announced the news of him getting vaccinated through his official social media accounts.

New Delhi: India on Monday (March 1, 2021) woke up to the surprising news of Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Prime Minister arrived at the AIIMS Hospital in Delhi early morning and shared the news of him getting vaccinated through his official social media accounts. He got vaccinated on a day when India kicked-off the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, which aims to vaccinate the age-appropriate groups. 

In DNA on Monday with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, we look at how the Prime Minister has instilled citizen's confidence by taking the made-in-India COVAXIN shot.

PM Narendra Modi's vaccine jab boosts confidence:

When India gave the emergency-use authorization to two coronavirus vaccines, Covaxin and Covishield, questions arose on their safety. While Covaxin has been developed by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, Covishield has been made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

Raising questions on the safety and efficacy of the indigenous vaccine, many people leaned towards the foreign vaccine with their trust. However, PM Modi's step has put a full stop to these arguments and a stamp of trust on the research of Indian scientists and doctors.

The Prime Minister's move has boosted people's confidence and has also removed the fear of getting vaccinated.

#DNA : कोरोना के खिलाफ युद्ध में पीएम नरेन्द्र मोदी ने क्यों ली एक खास वैक्सीन?@sudhirchaudhary pic.twitter.com/JNLfcQh5Uv

— Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 1, 2021

PM Narendra Modi appeals to citizens to take COVID-19 vaccine:

After taking the coronavirus vaccine, PM Narendra Modi appealed to all those who are eligible to take it. He said, "Together, let us make India COVID-19 free!" 

The Prime Minister also said that it's remarkable how the Indian doctors and scientists have worked in a quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19. He will now be given the second and final dose of the vaccine on March 28.

Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS.

Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19.

I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free! pic.twitter.com/5z5cvAoMrv — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2021

After PM Modi, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Apart from them, several other political leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister Jitendra Singh also got vaccinated. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also took the coronavirus vaccine shot.   

I took my first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Government Medical College, Chennai today.

I will be taking the 2nd dose after 28 days.

I appeal to all the eligible people to get themselves vaccinated proactively and join in the fight against novel coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/mfA1xJXiGg — Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) March 1, 2021

Got my jab. For the curious, it was #Covaxin.

Felt secure, will travel safely. pic.twitter.com/8PL7PZMEsf — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 1, 2021

आज से राज्य में कोरोना टीकाकरण के तीसरे चरण का शुभारंभ हुआ है। इस अवसर पर मुझे भी कोरोना का टीका लगवाने का अवसर प्राप्त हुआ।https://t.co/3KZgT9Bn6l pic.twitter.com/Zixx7rSHtm — Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) March 1, 2021

25 lakh beneficiaries register on Co-Win portal on first day: 

The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive across India witnessed over 25 lakh beneficiaries registering on the Co-Win portal on the very first day. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, out of the 25 lakh, 24.5 lakh are citizens, while the rest are healthcare workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs). About 6.44 lakh appointments were also booked on Monday by the citizen beneficiaries. The next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive began on Monday for those who are over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.

A total of 1,47,28,569 vaccine doses have been given across India, as per the provisional report till 7 pm on Monday. These include 66,95,665 HCWs who have taken the 1st dose and 25,57,837 HCWs who have taken the 2nd dose, 53,27,587 FLWs (1st dose), 1,28,630 beneficiaries more than 60 years old and 18,850 beneficiaries aged 45 and above with specific co-morbidities.

Politics around PM Narendra Modi getting COVID-19 vaccine:

Since PM Narendra Modi got the coronavirus vaccine shot on Monday morning, the pictures and videos of him taking the jab have been the subject of discussion all over the country. The Prime Minister wore a 'gamcha' of Assam with him when he went to the hospital, where he was administered the vaccine by two nurses from Puducherry and Kerala. Several opposition leaders have now started questioning the move and said that it is a publicity stunt for election campaigning.

Earlier on January 16 when the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination drive commenced in India, the opposition had raised their doubts over the authenticity of the vaccine. They had asked the Prime Minister and other BJP leaders to get the vaccine first. Now, when the vaccine has been given, they are saying that these are publicity stunt for the upcoming assembly polls. They would have also asked for proof if the pictures or videos of PM getting vaccinated wouldn't be there.

#DNA : प्रधानमंत्री मोदी के टीके पर टीका-टिप्पणी @sudhirchaudhary pic.twitter.com/dzsKP30Mhi — Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 1, 2021

#DNA : वैक्सीन पर विरोध का वायरस @sudhirchaudhary pic.twitter.com/l2Yy1vS3gw — Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 1, 2021